Saturday, July 15, 2017

Police Issue 62 Citations During Pedestrian Safety Missions

POLICE ISSUE 62 CITATIONS DURING PEDESTRIAN SAFETY MISSIONS

Gresham, Ore. -The Gresham Police Department issued 62 citations and more than two dozen warnings during their last two pedestrian safety missions. The May 12 focus was along the area of SE Stark St. and SE 194th Ave., and the June 13 mission was along NE 181st Ave., between NE Glisan St. and NE Halsey St.

The goal of the early evening missions was to raise safety awareness for drivers and pedestrians regarding pedestrian right-of-way laws. This was accomplished through distributing educational brochures, citations, and warnings.

During the safety operations, officers issued a total of 38 citations for crosswalk infractions and 24 citations for other offenses, including: illegal cell phone usage, failure to use a seat belt, not providing proof of insurance, and operating a vehicle without a license.

Education for drivers and pedestrians is vital to keeping our roads safe. Motorists must stop and yield to pedestrians who are waiting to cross, or who are in the process of crossing, the roadway. Motorists are also required to stop at all crosswalks when a vehicle is already stopped in a lane next to the one they are traveling in. Refer to Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 811.028, Failure to Stop and Remain Stopped for Pedestrian, for specifics on the law regarding drivers. Refer to ORS Chapter 814 for laws pertaining to pedestrians.

Funding for this pedestrian safety mission was made possible through a grant from Oregon Impact and Oregon Department of Transportation. Additional missions will be scheduled during the summer and again in September, as the new school year begins.